Rob Giardinelli
Patrons Donated 98 Wheelchair Accessible Vans During An Epic Paddles-Up
By Rob Giardinelli Photography By CatchLight Group Courtesy Of Houston Children’s Charity
THE SCENE: The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston was the setting for an incredible night of fun and fundraising that perfectly showcased the enormous heart and spirit of Space City. Over 800 of the area’s most notable community leaders, children’s advocates, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the 28th Annual Houston Children’s Charity Gala. Benefiting Houston Children’s Charity, the night featured great food, show-stopping performances, and an earth-shattering fundraising total that will help the organization make an incredible impact on the Houston Community all year long.
THE VIBE: The “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas” theme meant that patrons were more than eager to don their favorite Texas-black-tie ensembles. In the crowd, one could spot women showcasing a mix of ballgowns and cocktail dresses while the men sported a mix of classic tuxedos and tuxedos with Texas string ties. The result was a festive, welcoming environment where everyone was welcomed and treated like family.
This night for the ages began with a lively cocktail party in The Post Oak Ballroom Foyer. Here, revelers grabbed their favorite spirit of choice and mingled with other partygoers. During the cocktail hour, many could be spotted perusing the impressive live and silent auction items up for bid, including the ultimate Porsche experience generously donated by Porsche River Oaks and Porsche West Houston.
Guests were then drawn into The Post Oak Ballroom for the dinner and main program by a dazzling laser beam show. Once inside, jaws dropped as revelers were in awe of the stunning décor courtesy of famed event producer Richard Flowers of The Events Company, who turned the space into an elegant, black-and-white themed room that featured black linens that were complemented with elegant white floral centerpieces and long, black tapered candles that were equal parts chic and regal.
Once revelers took to their seats, Reverend Mary Gracely of One Spirit Interfaith Community led the room in a heartfelt invocation. Guests then began dining on a multi-course meal including a surf and turf main entrée of filet and lobster. During dinner, they were treated to words from event and organization leaders, including Houston Children’s Charity Board Chair Tilman Fertitta.
Next came a dazzling and magnetic live auction helmed by auctioneer Johnny Bravo. The paddles and fundraising efforts increased, accompanied by an array of incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The most coveted items of the night were a road trip with the Houston Rockets package that fetched over $100,000 and a “When in Rome Page” donated by The Tilman Fertitta Family that sold for $1.2 million to 2025 Houston Children’s Charity Gala honorees, Tony Buzbee and Frances Moody Buzbee were also honored for their longtime support of the organization..
Houston Children’s Charity President & CEO Laura Ward then took to the stage with Tony Buzbee, and Frances Moody Buzbee joined them to kick off the apex of the night. The Chariots for Children Van Distribution Paddle Raise. Richard and Jana Fant kicked things off by donating 30 vans in the inaugural paddle raise. The generosity continued to flow in the room from there, and by the time the paddle raise was done, a whopping 98 vans had been donated by patrons, which will forever change the lives of many families in the Houston area.
and John Demolke
The night was capped off with a lively after-party that kept the festive crowd engaged until the wee hours of the morning. The audience cut a rug and enjoyed songs by Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, ALABAMA, ending the night on a high note for a night that was both filled with epic fun and fundraising while positively impacting the lives of so many Houston-area families.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 28th Annual Houston Children’s Charity Gala raised an astounding $9.4 million for the organization, smashing the previous record set just last year. Proceeds raised from the gala will go towards funding services to children in need in the Houston area, including an annual Christmas Toy Distribution Event, the A Better Night Sleep program, which provides Houston kids with beds, and the Chariots for Children program.
